Description
The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) developed by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) utilizes material properties to predict distresses in pavement structures. This new MEPDG is the process of replacing the traditional pavement design based on the AASHTO 1993 Design Guide.
As it is well known, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) uses Asphalt-Rubber (AR) mixes state-wide. The Arizona mixes include both gap and open gradation designs. However, the national calibration process that was undertaken for the MEPDG did not include asphalt-rubber mixes. Because of their unique characteristics, this paper
addresses steps and efforts undertaken in a recent study to implement these AR mixes into the MEPDG. There were several issues and limitations identified pertaining to the implementation of AR mixes in the MEPDG. Short and long term recommendations were provided.
